Articles – Page 2

Model-Based Design Is Transforming System Development

October 30, 2025

As I’ve mentioned on occasion, my degree is in Control Engineering. Well, that’s what we used to call it deep in the mists of time (circa the late 1970s) when I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed student—although the years, it must be said, have not been kind.

The idea was to have a core of math, accompanied by electronics, mechanics, hydraulics, and fluidics. In hindsight (the only exact science), my cohorts and I were blithely ignorant that we were balanced on the cusp of a significant transition (the “blithely ignorant” part … Read More → "Model-Based Design Is Transforming System Development"

Will ECS-DoT Be the Processor-of-Choice for Battery-Powered AI at the Edge?

by Max Maxfield

October 28, 2025

We live in exciting times. Sometimes I’m unsure just how much more excitement I can take. I can imagine one day talking to my grandchildren, saying something like, “I remember the days before AI,” and hearing them gasp in astonishment and disbelief.

I know what you’re thinking. When you first ran your orbs over the title of this column, I could practically hear you muttering, “Oh no, please tell me that Max isn’t going to waffle on about yet another AI processor chip!”

Would that I … Read More → "Will ECS-DoT Be the Processor-of-Choice for Battery-Powered AI at the Edge?"

Inside the RISC-V Hardware Wars: A Streetfighter’s Unfiltered Take

by Max Maxfield

October 23, 2025

In which we learn about a maverick founder’s RISC-V crusade to reshape the chip industry—without permission, funding, or patience.

I’ve known Jonah McLeod for more years than I care to remember. In fact, I’ve known him for so long that I no longer recall when, where, or how we first met (either virtually via the interweb or physically at a conference).

Suffice it to say that he’s a well-seasoned … Read More → "Inside the RISC-V Hardware Wars: A Streetfighter’s Unfiltered Take"

Is It Time to Bring PCB Assembly (PCBA) In-House?

by Max Maxfield

October 21, 2025

I’ve said it before, and I’ll doubtless say it again—I’m constantly amazed by how the metaphysical theme of the “interrelatedness of all things” that permeates the Dirk Gently books by Douglas Adams manages to manifest itself in my own humble journey through the cosmos.

For example, just a few weeks ago (at the time of this writing), I was chatting with Josh Elijah, who is the co-founder and CEO at BotBlox. Josh is an interesting guy who is obsessed … Read More → "Is It Time to Bring PCB Assembly (PCBA) In-House?"

Next-Gen Multimodal GenAI Processors for the AIoT Edge

by Max Maxfield

October 16, 2025

I’m having “one of those days.” During a recent chat with someone who has a lot to answer for, I was informed that IREE is the execution layer for MILR and that I can think of MILR as a newer version of LLVM. Now I know what I sound like when I’m talking to my family and friends. Also, my head hurts.

This all came about when I was chatting with John Weil, who (a) is Vice President and General Manager for the IoT and Edge AI Processor Business at Read More → "Next-Gen Multimodal GenAI Processors for the AIoT Edge"

Lies, Damn Lies, Benchmarks and ML Perf Auto?

by Robert Bielby

October 15, 2025

MLCommons, in collaboration with AVCC, the Autonomous Vehicle Compute Consortium, recently released the ML Perf Auto 0.5. benchmark suite. The suite is intended to compare the performance of different AI engines in real-world vision/perception applications for ADAS and autonomous driving.

Will it live up to that ambitious goal? Let’s go back a few years…

Early in my career, I was a working group member of the Programmable Electronics Performance (PREP) corporation, which was chartered to establish a suite of benchmarks that could be used to compare the different … Read More → "Lies, Damn Lies, Benchmarks and ML Perf Auto?"

Polish Logic Meets Silicon Magic: Say Hi to Grinn’s GenioSOM-700

by Max Maxfield

October 14, 2025

The purpose of this column is to waffle (as is my wont) about some super System-on-Module (SOM) units that recently leaped onto the center of the stage with a fanfare of flügelhorns (once heard, never forgotten), but first…

As usual, my poor old noggin is raucously reverberating with new nuggets of knowledge and tempting tidbits of trivia. I know from experience that the only way for me to quieten down inside my head so I can think about the things I should be thinking about is to share my newfound news with … Read More → "Polish Logic Meets Silicon Magic: Say Hi to Grinn’s GenioSOM-700"

Bodacious Buzz on the Brain-Boggling Neuromorphic Brain Chip Battlefront

by Max Maxfield

October 9, 2025

Hold onto your hippocampus because the latest neuromorphic marvels are firing on all synapses. To ensure we’re all tap-dancing to the same skirl of the bagpipes, let’s remind ourselves that the term “neuromorphic” is a portmanteau that combines the Greek words “neuro” (relating to nerves or the brain) and “morphic” (relating to form or structure).

Thus, “neuromorphic” literally means “in the form of the brain.” In turn, “neuromorphic computing” refers to electronic systems inspired by the human brain’s functioning. Instead of processing data step-by-step, like traditional computers, neuromorphic chips attempt … Read More → "Bodacious Buzz on the Brain-Boggling Neuromorphic Brain Chip Battlefront"

Edge AI Inferencing 5X Faster with 1/2 the Memory (What’s Not to Love?)

by Max Maxfield

October 7, 2025

There’s an old joke that I remember from when I was a kid. It started when my dad asked, “When is a door not a door?” I looked at him blankly (a look I’ve since perfected over the years) until he came up with the punchline, “When it’s ajar,” at which point he would convulse in mirth. Well, I have one for you, which goes, “When is a kernel not a kernel?”

I will present the answer to this poser in a moment, alongside some really exciting news pertaining to … Read More → "Edge AI Inferencing 5X Faster with 1/2 the Memory (What’s Not to Love?)"

Agentic AI Prevents Costly Machine Downtime in Factories and Semiconductor Fabs

by Max Maxfield

October 2, 2025

Things are moving fast in AI space (where no one can hear you scream). For example, I first became aware of the concept of “Agentic AI” only a couple of months ago as I pen these words. Now, I find that this bodacious beauty is already being deployed in factories and semiconductor fabs to transform manufacturing and prevent costly machine downtimes. I tell you, I’m too young for all this excitement.

Before we plunge into the fray with gusto, abandon, and—of course—aplomb, let’s first take a moment to ensure … Read More → "Agentic AI Prevents Costly Machine Downtime in Factories and Semiconductor Fabs"